Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or the characters. I really wish I did but sadly I do not. However, I do own my original characters. Any reference to the series, quotes, or descriptions are solely used for artistic purposes. I write fanfiction for fun, not profit. I do not make any money on this.

A very special thank you to Ninjette Twitch and Revy679 for beta reading this story. This piece of fanfiction would not be the same without your input, ladies! So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

This story is RATED M for violence and citrus content. If you don't like graphic descriptions, then please do not read this story. For those of you who do, please enjoy my version of what happens between Heero and Relena after the Eves War.

Author's note: This story begins in Newport City, Sanc Kingdom in the Fall of AC 197. Thoughts are in italics. Canon applies but ignores Frozen Teardrop. Happy reading!

Broken

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway

Chapter 1: Party Night

Relena sat at her Victorian era vanity, her long golden hair woven into an elegant updo. Her maid brought over a black velvet box. She picked up a dazzling necklace and placed it around Relena's dainty neck. Relena touched the heavy piece while admiring her reflection as she watched the glimmering jewels sparkle in the light. She plucked the matching teardrop diamond and sapphire earrings from the box and put them on.

Another maid brought in a larger black velvet box gently setting it down on the right corner of the vanity. Relena lifted its lid revealing a beautiful tiara. Relena had many tiaras, but this George VI Victorian tiara was her favorite. Milliardo had gifted it to her about six months ago on her 17th birthday. It had been passed down through the generations of European royalty, one of the more notable owners being Queen Elizabeth II. The maid picked up the priceless antique tiara and ever so carefully placed it upon Relena's head. Her hair stylist adjusted her hair slightly in different positions to accommodate the ornate headpiece.

Relena shifted in her seat as she adjusted to its weight. She took a deep breath. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, she thought warily. Which reminds me, I need to finish reading the report from L3. Oh, and I need to remind Chris to send a budget update about the Mars Terraformation Project. She shook her head to clear the thoughts of work away. I am going to have a great evening. She smiled to herself as she pictured herself in his arms, floating across the dance floor.

The maid brought her out of her daydream, "Miss Relena, you are stunning! You are sure to capture the hearts of many tonight. If I'm so bold to say, Agent Yuy won't be able to take his eyes off you, either." Relena's head shot up, catching her maid's eyes in the mirror. Her mouth slightly agape as her reply was lost to her shock.

Is it that obvious? Does he know how I feel? Her mind raced right along with her now quickened pulse. If only I could capture his heart, even though I'll probably just end up with a broken heart.

She sighed and thanked her maids. Looking back at her reflection, she felt every bit the beautiful princess her royal bloodline declared her to be. Despite no longer bearing the Peacecraft name, as the Vice Foreign Minister, she wholeheartedly embraced the pacifist ideals of her birth country.

She rose from her cushioned settee, smoothing out her dress and taking one last glance at herself. In the three way mirror, she turned from right to left looking at herself. "Not too shabby, Relena. Not too shabby at all," she smiled to herself. Her a-line dress was a deep blue with a shimmer overlay that sparkled like the night sky. The dress was a bit more revealing and sexy than she usually wore as the Vice Foreign Minister, but she had to buy the one shoulder number that tightly hugged her in all the right places after trying it on. She had not only grown taller in the last year, but she had filled out in all the right places. She ran a hand over the hard bodice and admired her assets.

Before leaving her room, she caught a glimpse of her favorite birthday present. The teddy bear sat in front of a mountain of pillows. She chuckled to herself, remembering how she torn up the birthday card. She'd been thrilled when he'd given her a birthday present in person this year. He never ceased to amaze her. He'd rescued her yet again, this time from the terrorist group known as Eypon De Telos, then he'd taken her on magical ride in his fake Wing Zero. To top it off, he'd become the head of her security team. He had kept his promise that he made to her in the locker room on Libra. She knew he would always protect her.

Relena walked down the hall to the top of the stairs. She took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for the evening. When she finally reached the top of the stairs, she saw him.

Heero…

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Heero looked up as the vision before him took his breath away. Wow.

Behind him he heard a low whistle. A hand landed firmly on his left shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Wow..."

Heero agreed, "Yeah." She's so beautiful.

Coming to his senses, Heero snapped his head over toward his best friend, who was gaping at Relena, and smacked him on the back of his head.

"Oww, man why'd you have to go and do that?" Duo whined and scowled indignantly as he gingerly rubbed the tender spot with his fingers.

Heero barely heard him, he couldn't take his eyes off of Relena. At the moment, she appeared to be attempting to cover a giggle. Relena radiated grace and beauty, as she quickly composed herself and, like an ethereal vision in blue, floated down the stairs. Her gaze met his as she lowered her hand and smiled down at him.

Heero moved through the small crowd that had gathered at the bottom of the stairs and offered her his hand. With a tender smile, Relena accepted and Heero bent down, lightly grazing his lips across the soft skin at the top of her delicate hand.

He caught her the pink tinge that stained her cheeks as he rose, loving the effect he had on her. "You're beautiful," he said as he offered his arm to her. Her blush deepened as she linked her arm in his.

"Thank you, Heero. You look quite handsome yourself."

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Relena glanced up at Heero, admiring his strong profile. His eyes were so intense, so focused, always scanning for any potential threats. She was thrilled when he had surprised her a few weeks ago by offering to escort her to the gala. Usually she had to ask, or plead with him before he would agree. She knew he had probably only offered because of some threat against her life, but she didn't care. All she cared about was spending some time with him. Besides, she never felt safer than when she was with him.

As they walked the perimeter of the ballroom, a few dignitaries and their significant others briefly stopped them to greet Relena and compliment her and her work on the newly passed plan for the next stage of the Mars Terraforming Project. Heero gently squeezed the back of her arm to let her know it was time to end the conversation and to keep moving. She skillfully wrapped up her discussion with pleasantries and a light laugh, grasping Heero's arm once again and allowing him to whisk her away.

She looked up at him again. He too had grown so much in the past year. His shoulders were broader, his muscles larger and even more defined. Even with her 3 inch heels, he still towered over her.

I wonder what he looks like without a shirt?

Oh my! Where did that come from? Heero had awakened a part of herself that she didn't know she had. Only he made her feel this way; giddy like she was in high school, with butterflies in her stomach. He radiated strength and confidence. She couldn't help but admire him. He looked so incredibly handsome in his navy blue tux. His right arm was firm and she could feel his taut muscles underneath his clothing. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of gunpowder and metal.

Heero looked down at her. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she smiled back at him. His eyes softened and his lips turned upward ever so slightly. I love your smile. She cherished these rare moments; they were so few and far in between. Just as suddenly as his smile appeared, it was replaced with an intense glare that focused on something behind her.

Relena was about to turn around when she felt a tap on her right shoulder. She turned to face a middle-aged balding man that bowed to her. "Excuse me, Vice Foreign Minister, but may I have this dance?" She forced a smile and pushed down the anger and disappointment building inside her at this intruder for ruining a perfectly good moment with Heero. Yet, the etiquette that had been ingrained into her since birth prevailed, and she politely agreed.

She looked back over her left shoulder to Heero, trying to convey her apologies at the interruption, but his attention was focused elsewhere. Sighing, she looked at her partner and forced another smile as they began to move across the dance floor.

Her feet were killing her. Not only had she been dancing for the past hour, but her current partner kept stepping on her toes. Ouch! "Terribly sorry, Miss Relena," he apologized.

Just as she was about to excuse herself, a deep baritone voice said, "My turn." Heero. The young diplomat visibly shuddered and, with a mumbled apology, quickly left as Heero stepped in and gracefully twirled her around the ballroom.

"Thank you for saving me."

He pulled her in closer. "Always," he said, gazing down at her with an intensity that made her tremble.

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He was entranced by her. He loved the way she felt in his arms. The way her small soft manicured hand felt in his larger calloused hand. The way she fit perfectly with him. And, God, did she smell heavenly, like a garden full of flowers. She was so beautiful in her dark blue dress; radiant and intoxicating. He couldn't suppress the urge to press the small of her back closer to him. Heero took pride in even the smallest of missions, like saving her and her precious toes. He'd securely held her in his arms for the past two dances. Although he didn't want to stop, he knew all good things must come to an end.

He looked down and couldn't help but admire her beauty. Her breasts were fuller than they had once been. Mentally chiding himself, he forced his attention elsewhere, focusing, once again, on scanning the room.

"Heero?" He heard her ask.

He peered down at her again. "Hmm?"

"I can't tell you how much it means to me that you escorted me tonight. You are really quite amazing."

"Look who's talking," he smiled. She beamed up at him.

He waltzed her to the edge of the ballroom near the refreshments, and seamlessly escorted her off the dance floor. He grabbed two champagne flutes and gave one to her. "Thank you" she said quietly before taking a long sip. She was just about to ask Heero to take a turn around the garden when she heard a familiar voice.

"Princess! Don't you look ravishing!" Duo exclaimed with a mischievous grin. Relena blushed and smiled back. Heero glared. Duo quickly deflected his glare by wrapping an arm around his best friend. "Heero, buddy, isn't she just the prettiest thing you ever saw?" Duo felt Heero tense.

To Duo's surprise, Heero replied, "Yes, she is."

Relena's cheeks were on fire. Did he just say...

"Atta boy!" Duo exclaimed and shook his arm wrapped around Heero's shoulder a little bit. "Sorry to be a killjoy but Une needs to speak with you."

"Hn." Heero gave the passing waiter his empty champagne glass. He looked towards Relena and apologetically sighed, "Excuse me." Then he walked away.

Duo looked between the two of them and cleared his throat. "Well, I wasn't expecting that."

Relena lost sight of Heero and turned to her friend. "Duo! It's so good to see you. How are you? How's Hilde?"

"I'm good! She's good! We're all good! Hilde would love to get together soon and go shopping or whatever you ladies like to do."

"I would love that! I'll be sure to give her a call tomorrow. Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to freshen up."

"Of course, Princess! Don't fall in!"

Relena laughed as she made her way to the ladies room.

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Relena dried her hands with a towel and tossed it in the bin. She checked her dress and smoothed out any wrinkles. She felt so beautiful tonight and blushed at the memory of Heero's compliment. He had never made a comment like that before, not in front of anyone else, and certainly never in front of Duo.

Heero...

She left the ladies room, determined to find him, make him dance with her all night; maybe even get him to kiss her. A girl can dream, can't she?

She scanned the crowd, looking for him. Ah ha, there you are. She locked eyes with Heero and for an instant, they were the only two people in the room. The music faded as she lost herself in the depth of his Prussian blue eyes.

A loud shot broke through the deafening silence.

What was that? She watched as his eyes widened and he began running towards her. She felt a sharp pain in her upper left chest and looked down, gasping for air that wouldn't come. I've been shot. She felt herself falling backwards and looked over to Heero still running towards her again. Heero... Tears gathered in her eyes.

"RELENA!"

Heero... He looked different... his Prussian blue eyes were so big... he looked pained. He looked scared. "RELENA!"

"He..." Relena tried to talk but couldn't. It was dark. Why is it getting dark?

"Look at me, Relena! Look at me!" Heero hovered over her.

I'm trying, Heero. I'm... I'm so tired.

"Relena, stay with me." he commanded.

I'm here, Heero. I'm...

"Relena, I..." Everything went dark.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Broken! I am planning to post a new chapter every week so make sure you favorite me and follow Broken so you don't miss out on any updates! Thank you so much reading! If you feel so inclined, I would love for you to review it. Feel free to PM me too. I love chatting with other GW fans!

P.S. Be on the lookout for quotes from the series… I have used quite a few in this story! ;-)